Miscellaneous 04/18/2010
 

A few years ago, just for a giggle, I took advantage of a free offer for some business cards from these people http://www.vistaprint.co.uk

At the time, I was still delivering buses and coaches and the card I designed was appropriate for that work. Since then, from time to time, they have sent various e-mails encouraging me to buy this that and the other and, although I was entirely happy with what they produced, I was never tempted - until now.

Next month, my wife and I are going across the pond to visit my elder son and his family in New England; so, I've ordered a handful of T shirts which might (or might not) amuse our grandsons.

At worst, they can be used as night-shirts......


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Miscellaneous 04/09/2010
 

Those who followed the blog I used to write about my part-time bus and coach delivery job (it's been converted into this now) might recall I had a minor accident just before I retired in 2008.

Driving in the outside lane, I had been exiting a roundabout when a lady driver had become confused and, although in the nearside lane, attempted to continue round the roundabout again and, in so doing, collided with the hire car I was driving. There were no personal injuries; so, having exchanged details, I reported the matter to my employer and we assumed the matter would be resolved by the insurance companies.

A couple of months ago, however, the best part of eighteen months since the accident, I was advised that the 'other party' had submitted a statement which alleged that the collision took place beyond the roundabout and (to add insult to injury) that I had 'cut across' the other car.

As you can imagine, I wasn't best pleased and, when asked to attend a court hearing, I was more than willing. So, this morning (having driven up to the east midlands and stayed in an hotel last night), I met up with a barrister who had been hired by 'our' insurance company to represent me.

ME !!

It was only at that point that it was explained to me that, in legal terms, 'they' were the claimants and I was the 'defendant'. So, having been 'not best pleased' when I arrived at the court, I soon became something approaching 'pretty damned cross' - and rising.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I wouldn't be surprised if the lady's husband (or his insurance company) thought they might be able to take advantage of the fact that there were no witnesses. Furthermore, the photographs which had been presented to the court suggested it was possible that the damage could have been caused by my car cutting across theirs.

As it happened, however, the judge decided that they were of a rather poor quality and seemed grateful that I had brought copies of my own colour photographs of the hire car. Having examined them, he decided that they left little doubt that the damage was the result of 'impact' from another car rather than the consequence of cutting across one.

A further piece of significant evidence was the engineer's report for the lady's car which (although it was presented by the 'other' side) revealed that most of the damage was at the front end of her vehicle - not in the area alleged to have been hit by me.

The upshot of all this was that the judge, in his summing up, said that all the evidence supported what I had said and not what the lady alleged and, in dismissing the claim, awarded costs to 'my side'. So, although I had already been assured that my expenses would be met, it now meant that 'they' would have to pay them - instead of 'us'.

For the past few weeks, although I suspect her husband may have persuaded her to commit perjury, I had been quite worried about the prospect of having to call a (or any) lady a liar. To add to my unease, the poor woman was said to be in tears immediately prior to the hearing and, although we were only feet apart and facing each other throughout the procedure, not once did her eyes meet mine. However, as my barrister explained to me, it wasn't what I said which influenced the judge's decision, she was condemned by her own testimony.

At the end of it all, although, I had been a little miffed at being called 'the defendant', it was actually my former company who were being charged and I, personally, had nothing to gain or lose from the judgement. Nonetheless, I can't deny that I drove home quietly satisfied with the outcome.


 
Miscellaneous 04/05/2010
 

Hardly noted as a sentimentalist - even less so for being romantic - and with absolutely no regard for the expense involved, I stepped outside this morning to pick some flowers for my long-suffering other-half......


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After all, half a century is a hell of a long time to suffer.

 
Miscellaneous 04/04/2010
 

Since putting rather more than just 'left-overs' outside our kitchen window for our feathered friends , we had become intrigued by evidence of earth work which seemed just a little too deep for birds to have done (even for Percy, our resident pheasant, who is shown below with some of his harem). So, we assumed that members of the local fox population may have been responsible.

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Some of the excavation work can be seen in the foreground and, last night, the puzzle was solved when we discovered that we have been visited by a pair of badgers. Now, I know that they're not too popular with the farming community - but, we're not a farm; so, we feel rather fortunate to have been added to their 'places of interest'. In addition to scavenging for food, they spent quite a long time preening and cleaning themselves. Fortunately, we have a night-vision camera focused on the 'feeding area' and my wife, in particular, spent ages watching them. If I can work out how to take a photo of them, I'll try to feature them on this blog - sometime.


 
Miscellaneous 03/02/2010
 

I suppose it's a comfort to know that at least two people visit my blog from time to time and, in response to their question, "Yes. I have deleted the thread called Rant."

At this stage, other than to explain that it was removed as a consequence of a valid complaint that I had revealed someone's details, I don't intend to elaborate. I might, however, return to the subject in due course.

 
Miscellaneous 02/25/2010
 

This is rather good fun - http://www.fotobabble.com/m/Z0diM1J4YVFqWkk9 .

 
Miscellaneous 02/24/2010
 

Following the interest shown from the Antipodes to an earlier Blog, this might be appreciated - http://tinyurl.com/yf6qo67

 
Miscellaneous 02/10/2010
 

I'm glad I was persuaded to cancel a trip to Wales tomorrow.

I took this photo five minutes ago.....
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Miscellaneous 01/26/2010
 

We have always put out 'left-overs' for the local bird population and, occasionally, we leave something a little more substantial for the neighbouring foxes. It isn't just birds and foxes, however, who are attracted to the 'feeding-grounds'.

This is a view from the kitchen window......
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.........and a close-up view.
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Miscellaneous 01/10/2010
 

Until 'inheriting' one, I would never have considered owning a bird. The concept of confining a creature which should really be able to enjoy the freedom normally enjoyed by birds didn't appeal to me.

However, recognising the fact that one born into 'captivity' would almost certainly meet a rather unpleasant fate if 'set free', I contrived to allow it as much freedom as was possible. So, whilst I'm indoors, our parrot is allowed out of the cage.

Those who are familiar with these circumstances will appreciate that there are times when furniture, fixtures and fittings are liable to suffer. That said, so long as you're aware of the danger and are able to keep an eye on what the bird is doing, damage may be limited. There are times, however, when a temporary lapse in concentration can lead to frayed tempers as well as frayed curtains or cushions.

Our umbrella cockatoo is called Ellie and here is an example of one of her less destructive episodes. I had left the room for a few moments and she had noticed a tin of 'Quality Street.....

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By the time I returned, she had opened the tin and, having unwrapped, it was sampling a sweet.

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